Wikipedia

Kaadan

Kaadan(transl. Forester) inTamil,Aranya(transl. Forester) inTelugu,andHaathi Mere SaathiinHindi(transl. Elephants are my friends), is a 2021 Indianaction adventure film[1]written and directed byPrabhu Solomon.[2]Produced byEros International,the film starsRana Daggubati,Vishnu Vishal(Tamil and Telugu),Pulkit Samrat(Hindi),Shriya Pilgaonkar,andZoya Hussain.[3]It was filmed simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi languages, each with slightly different cast members.[4]

Kaadan
Aranya
Haathi Mere Saathi
Release poster (Tamil version)
Directed byPrabhu Solomon
Written byPrabhu Solomon
Produced byEros International
Starring
CinematographyA. R. Ashok Kumar
Edited byBuvan
Music byShantanu Moitra
Production
company
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 26 March 2021(2021-03-26)(Tamil and Telugu)
  • 18 September 2021(2021-09-18)(Hindi)
Running time
178 minutes
CountryIndia
Languages
  • Tamil
  • Telugu
  • Hindi

KaadanandAranyawere released on 26 March 2021, delayed from the initial release of 2 April 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.The theatrical release ofHaathi Mere Saathiwas put on hold which subsequently opted for adirect-to-videorelease onZee CinemaandEros Nowon 18 September 2021.[5]The film was promoted as a comic strip by famous children's magazine,Tinkleas Little Bandev.

Plot

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Kaadan (Tamil)/Aranya (Telugu)/Bandev (Hindi) is a true-blue animal film signifying a deep and strong bond between humans and animals.

Cast

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Cast (Tamil/Telugu) Cast (Hindi) Role (Tamil) Role (Telugu) Role (Hindi)
Rana Daggubati Veerabharathi "Kaadan" Narendra Bhupathi "Aranya" Sumitranandan "Bandev"
Vishnu Vishal Pulkit Samrat Maaran Singa Shankar
Zoya Hussain Aruvi Arvi
Shriya Pilgaonkar Arundhati
Ravi Kale Superintendent of Police
Anant Mahadevan Kurinjinathan Kanakamedala Raja Gopalam Jagannath Sevak
Sheeba Chaddha Judge
Srinath — Attorney
Bose Venkat Vishwajeet Pradhan Divisional Forest Officer
Raghu Babu Ankit Sagar Maaran's uncle Singa's uncle Shankar's uncle
Bhuvan Arora Aarav
Sampath Ram Alok Gagdekar Divisional Forest Officer
Rayala Harishchandra Villager[6]

Production

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The film was announced on 13 December 2017.[7][non-primary source needed]Prabhu Solomonwanted to bring the issue of elephant abuse to the light.[8]Unnikrishnan, an elephant who played a role inKumki 2,also plays a pivotal role in the film. Hindi actressZoya Hussainwas signed to play a role.[9]Rana Daggubatished 15 kilograms for this film by eating vegetarian food for six weeks.[10][11][12]The makers initially announcedKalki Koechlinto play a role in the film, however, she was replaced byShriya Pilgaonkar.[13]Vishnu Vishalwas signed to play a role in the Tamil and Telugu versions whilePulkit Samratwill reprise his role in the Hindi version.[14][15]

Release

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Initially scheduled for release on 2 April 2020, the film release was then indefinitely postponed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,[16][17]before being rescheduled to be released on 15 January 2021 to coincide withPongal festival.[18]In January 2021, the film has been announced to release on 26 March 2021.[19]

In March 2021, owing to the COVID-19 situation, the release of Hindi versionHaathi Mere Saathihas been postponed. Tamil and Telugu versions, however, are released as scheduled.[20]The Hindi version is set to have adirect-to-videorelease on the television channelZee Cinemafollowed by the streaming platformEros Nowon 18 September 2021.[21]

Music

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Kaadan
Aranya
Haathi Mere Saathi
Soundtrack albumby
Shantanu Moitra
Released17 March 2021 (All languages)[22][23][24]
Recorded2019–20
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length
LanguageTamil
Telugu
Hindi
LabelEros Music
ProducerEros International

The music for the film has been composed byShantanu Moitraand lyrics written bySwanand Kirkire(Hindi version) andVanamali(Tamil and Telugu versions).

Tamil
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Thaalaattu Paadum"Haricharan4:53
2."Chinna China"Haricharan4:24
3."Idhayame"Javed Ali5:06
Total length:14:23
Telugu
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Chitike 'Se' Aa Chirugaali"Haricharan4:53
2."Vellu Vellu"Haricharan4:24
3."Hrudayame"Javed Ali5:06
Total length:14:22
Hindi
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Shukriya"Rituraj Mohanty4:53
2."Dheeme Dheeme"Adriz Gosh4:26
3."Ae Hawa"Javed Ali5:06
Total length:14:25

Reception

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Aranya

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The Times of Indiacritic Suhas Yelupantla rated the film 3.5 stars of 5 and calling it an "engaging ride." He added that, "The first few minutes of the film are among the best. The visual effects, backed by the background score is spot on. The portrayal of the elephants is even better."[25]

Sangeetha Devi Dundoo ofThe Hindufelt that the film could have been better, and added "Rana singularly tries to hold things together, trying to save the elephants as well as the film."[26]Hemanth Kumar, in his review for theFirstpost,also echoed the same, stating that: "Rana Daggubati's film on ecosystem conservation, is educational but exceptionally insipid."[27]The Indian Expressjournalist Manoj Kumar rated the film 2/5 and called it "sub-standard." He added thatAranyawas redeemed by its cinematography,Resul Pookutty's sound design, and Daggubati's acting. "[28]

Kaadan

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A reviewer fromSifycalled it a "noble attempt." They termed "Rana and his earnest performance as Kaadan" and "AR Ashok Kumar's splendid cinematography" as the film's main highlights.[29]Haricharan Pudipeddi ofHindustan Timesopined that the film was predictable and added: "its grandeur merely used as a gimmick to project the film on epic scale." Pudipeddi appreciated Daggubati's performance, calling it "one of his best till date."[30]M. Sugandh in hisThe Times of Indiareview wrote: "Prabu Solomon is more interested in telling us a story. It is only in the climax that the filmmaker starts to sermonise, which feels unnecessary given that we get the movie's 'message' even without the need for any underscoring."[31]

Haathi Mere Saathi

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NDTV'sSaibal Chatarjee rated the film 2/5 and opined that the film rode on Daggubati's shoulders. He added that Solomon delivered the message on increasing deforestation in a gratuitously high-pitched manner, completely devoid of nuance.[32]Writing for theRediff,Sukanya Verma gave a negative review and said: "Between bad writing, hysterical acting and a shoddy blend of CGI and the real deal,Haathi Mere Saathicompletely neglects the message of saving our elephants. "[33]

References

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  1. ^Ghosh, Devarsi (22 March 2021)."How Rana Daggubati lost weight and gained new insights into nature for 'Haathi Mere Saathi'".Scroll.in.Archivedfrom the original on 2 December 2021.Retrieved2 December2021.All of this is delivered in an action-adventure tone, the most fun way to consume this story.
  2. ^"'Haathi Mere Saathi' completes second schedule ".The Times of India.Archivedfrom the original on 6 September 2018.Retrieved9 August2018.
  3. ^Ians (2 January 2018)."Rana unveils his new look in" Haathi Mere Saathi "".The Hindu.Archivedfrom the original on 24 May 2022.Retrieved9 August2018.
  4. ^Iyengar, Shriram."Haathi Mere Saathi first look: Rana Daggubati is intense, fierce as Bandev".Cinestaan.Archivedfrom the original on 29 August 2018.Retrieved9 August2018.
  5. ^"Rana Daggubati's Haathi Mere Saathi to premiere on TV on September 18".India Today.3 September 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 3 September 2021.Retrieved3 September2021.
  6. ^"Exclusive: #BehindTheCamera! Except for the personal make-up of the star actor, all others have no importance on the film sets: Make-up designer turned actor Rayala Harishchandra".The Times of India.12 December 2021.Retrieved12 October2024.
  7. ^"Rana Daggubati on Twitter".Archivedfrom the original on 1 January 2018.Retrieved9 September2018– via Twitter.
  8. ^"Kaadan is a soulful film: Rana Daggubati".The Times of India.12 February 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 21 June 2021.Retrieved18 April2020.
  9. ^"Mukkabaaz actress Zoya Hussain to star in Haathi Mere Saathi?".Deccan Chronicle.3 February 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 15 January 2019.Retrieved15 January2019.
  10. ^"Rana Daggubati sheds 15 Kg for his upcoming film Haathi Mere Saathi".Deccan Chronicle.4 January 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 29 August 2018.Retrieved9 August2018.
  11. ^"Jungle Book: Rana Daggubati spends 200 days in different forests for 'Kaadan'".The New Indian Express.18 February 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 19 February 2020.Retrieved10 May2020.
  12. ^Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (2 March 2020)."Into the wild: Rana Daggubati on 'Kaadan' and running with herds of elephants".The Hindu.Archivedfrom the original on 6 March 2020.Retrieved10 May2020.
  13. ^"Shriya Pilgaonkar replaces Kalki Koechlin in Rana Daggubati's Haathi Mere Saathi".The New Indian Express.Archived fromthe originalon 22 June 2021.Retrieved17 February2020.
  14. ^"Vishnu Vishal wraps up 20-day schedule for Kaadan".The Times of India.21 January 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 24 January 2019.Retrieved10 May2020.
  15. ^"Vishnu Vishal's look from Kaadan released".Cinema Express.11 February 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2020.Retrieved19 May2020.
  16. ^"Haathi Mere Saathi postponed due to coronavirus outbreak".Cinema Express.16 March 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 5 August 2020.Retrieved16 March2020.
  17. ^"Makers of Kaadan announces the film's postponement".The Times of India.16 March 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 18 March 2020.Retrieved18 April2020.
  18. ^"Vishnu Vishal-Rana-starrer Kaadan slated for a Pongal release in theatres".The Times of India.21 October 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 29 October 2020.Retrieved6 January2021.
  19. ^"Rana Daggubati and Vishnu Vishal's 'Kaadan' to release on 26 March".The Times of India.6 January 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 6 January 2021.Retrieved6 January2021.
  20. ^"Rana Daggubati's Haathi Mere Saathi theatrical release postponed due to rise in COVID-19 cases".The Indian Express.23 March 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 23 March 2021.Retrieved24 March2021.
  21. ^"Rana Daggubati's Haathi Mere Saathi to premiere on TV on September 18".India Today.3 September 2021.
  22. ^"Kaadan (Tamil) - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack".Jio Saavn. 28 February 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 19 September 2020.Retrieved24 March2021.
  23. ^"Aranya (Telugu) - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack".Jio Saavn.Archivedfrom the original on 18 April 2021.Retrieved24 March2021.
  24. ^"Haathi Mere Saathi (Hind) - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack".Jio Saavn.Archivedfrom the original on 17 April 2021.Retrieved24 March2021.
  25. ^"Aranya Movie Review: An engaging ride",The Times of India,archivedfrom the original on 25 March 2021,retrieved26 March2021
  26. ^Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (26 March 2021)."'Aranya'/'Kaadan' movie review: The jungle giants deserved better ".The Hindu.Archivedfrom the original on 26 March 2021.Retrieved26 March2021.
  27. ^"Aranya movie review: Rana Daggubati and the elephants deserve a better film".Firstpost.26 March 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 18 January 2022.Retrieved26 March2021.
  28. ^"Aranya movie review: Rana Daggubati and a worthy cause let down by a sub-standard film".The Indian Express.26 March 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 26 March 2021.Retrieved26 March2021.
  29. ^"Kaadan review: Watch it for Rana's earnest performance".Sify.Archived fromthe originalon 26 March 2021.Retrieved26 March2021.
  30. ^"Kaadan movie review: Rana Daggubati's film does a disservice to noble story".Hindustan Times.26 March 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 26 March 2021.Retrieved26 March2021.
  31. ^"Kaadan Movie Review: Earnest storytelling keeps Kaadan engaging",The Times of India,archivedfrom the original on 26 March 2021,retrieved26 March2021
  32. ^"Haathi Mere Saathi Review: Rana Daggubati's Film Is In Desperate Need Of A Rescue Act".NDTV.18 September 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 1 October 2021.Retrieved1 October2021.
  33. ^VERMA, SUKANYA (20 September 2021)."Haathi Mere Saathi review".Rediff.Archivedfrom the original on 1 October 2021.Retrieved1 October2021.
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